I think the weather forecasters hit the mark today, 100 degrees, 15-25 mph winds out of the SW but hey, at least the humidity wasn't higher than 35%! I think most people who planned to ride also planned not to waste time standing in the parking lot, baking because by 5:35pm, only 12 people were at the parking lot including Shannon and EuroPatrick.

Even the lone shade area was sparsely populated at 5:50pm

Garth and Pete doing the unthinkable, a warm-up ride prior to the main event. The shade dwellers were all puzzled by this as they were more then warmed up even while sitting.

More roll up to sign in. Note Mick in red. MIck is competing in the state championship next Saturday in the Master's Division. Yep, he's in the 60+ age group. Hard to believe.

Then, at 5:55pm, they came from all corners and I think we had close to 50 but there was lots of conversation about alternative, route modifying. In fact, I'll bet tonight's ride had more distance variations as people started, had 2nd thoughts and modified the route at various points. I kind of wanted to do the 54 mile route just to say I did it but I wanted to do it at a reasonable pace. Good luck finding a group with both those goals. As we rolled out, I noticed that unlike rides in the low-mid 90 degrees, the air flow provided no relief. It was hot at rest and hot at 25mph.

About 15 in the A group and about 24 in the B+ group. We rolled out old 161, right on Harrison and then an extended ride east on Morse. Somewhere in there, Claude came by us headed back to the parking lot, heat got to him. Somewhere in there I began listening to Denver Dan about a 30ish route. Somewhere in there, others too began listening to DD and so at Outville, we (Katherine, Christian, Dennis, Jeff, David S, Dan and let's just call him "Cyclist A") headed north to Moots and then into and out of Granville, stopping in Alexandria at this market. Actually, five of us stopped while the others just wanted to get the ride over and continued. We were sitting inside, enjoying the air conditioning, when Cyclist A, walked in and queried if any of us had mistakenly picked up his right hand glove because all he had were two left handers. The gloves were black with red accents and not a style I had previously noticed. Cyclist A walked out, trying to find his missing RH, soon returning. Observant Dennis noticed that one of the gloves was inside out and once returned to outside in, changed into a right hand fit. Dennis then asked "A" if his father's name was Forrest. Funny. Yep, the heat was having an effect and I noted I should keep an eye on "A" on the ride back. We finished with 32 miles. Meantime, as I drove home while also following the route, here came Shannon, Garth, EuroPatrick and one other guy. Those were all that was left of the front A group. Soon, I came across Muscle Dude and a while later Paul Stock but those were the last of the A's that also stuck to the long route. Arriving in Alexandria at 8:35, there was a group of B's who had either done the long route or the shorter B route and still had roughly 11 miles to go. Good luck.

The A group was whittled down very quickly to about 9-10 riders. Of course it wouldn't be a Thu. night ride without a flat, but when Garth's tire blew at about mile 16, everyone agreed to wait for a change. Then I saw something I've never seen before on a Thu. A ride: the group STOPPED FOR WATER at a gas station in Granville. (except for Terry, who just kept going).

I was not up to keeping the pace they were setting, so I bid the group adieu before Stone Quarry and finished the 53 mile route solo. My car dash said the temp was 102 when we started, but I was relieved when I got back about 9PM to see that it had cooled down to a more comfortable 95.

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David C.

6/29/2012 03:32:58 am

I did my best "Mark impression" and turned off at Outville Rd. It was not fun, no matter how much breeze there was. I drank 3 water bottles in less than 26 miles and still lost 4lbs. of water weight. I was dumb to even start the ride in that heat. Garth called me soft and told me to Man up when I told him I was turning off..... Oh yea the headwind the whole way home solo was icing in the cake.

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Christian

6/29/2012 04:20:14 am

Hey, what was my wife doing with those guys in the jeep????? I have to watch her all the time the big flirt!

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tom klocker

7/9/2012 02:58:20 am

Marty was it hotter biking this 4th of July or when you went into the engine room to fix the transmission on the yacht last 4th of july? the vixen in the photo with Katy Perry is Marina and the Diamonds who was her opening act.

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Mark is a long-time cyclist who enjoys poking fun at himself but most especially at his friends. No nicknames or comments are intended to offend, accept them in the humor they are intended.